Private Equity
Multinational computer technology company Dell Inc has launched its Dell for Entrepreneurs program in Canada. The program, which is partnering with Canadian accelerator platform HIGHLINE, will provide Canadian startups with access to technology, sales enablement, capital, networking, education and marketing. Canadian entrepreneurs will also be able to participate in Dell Founders 50, a recurring two-year business acceleration program.
5 min read · 07 October 2014
Scytl has acquired Akira Systems, a provider of human resources management software based in London, Ontario. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Scytl, a specialist in online voting and election modernization, said the acquisition will help it address human resource aspects of election processes. Based in Barcelona, Spain, Scytl is backed by a number of venture capital firms, including Vulcan Capital, SAP Ventures, Vy Capital, Adams Street Partners and Industry Ventures. The company completed a US$104 million financing round in August.
3 min read · 07 October 2014
Daily Dealy, a specialist in multi-platform flash sale marketing, has closed a Series A financing round for an undisclosed amount. The unidentified investors were said to be angel funds and individual investors. Based in Vancouver, Daily Dealy said it plans to use investment proceeds "to introduce ground-breaking technologies in geotargeting mobile marketing industries." The company was founded this year.
2 min read · 07 October 2014
REGEN Energy Inc has completed its Series B financing round, raising more than $12 million. The deal was led by an unidentified U.S. utility business, Export Development Canada and EnerTech Capital, and was supported by existing investors BDC Capital and NGEN Partners. An earlier tranche of the Series B round was announced in February. Based in Toronto, REGEN helps owners of commercial, industrial and institutional buildings manage electrical demand through its wireless smart grid technology platform. The company said its platform has so far been adopted by over 300 organizations. In September, REGEN announced the appointment of Pete Malcolm as its new president and CEO.
2 min read · 07 October 2014
Canada’s Venture Capital and Private Equity Association and research partner Thomson Reuters will in November publish their full report on Canadian venture capital activity in the third quarter of 2014. In the meantime, peHUB Canada has compiled an early list of some of the top disclosed financings completed between July and September.
3 min read · 06 October 2014
TVM Capital Life Science, a global venture capital firm with an office in Montréal, has closed its TVM Life Science Ventures VlI. Focusing on achieving human clinical proof-of-concept for early-stage drug development projects, Fund VII raised US$201.6 million from cornerstone investors Teralys Capital and Eli Lilly and Co, as well as the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Minnesota Life Insurance Co, CD Venture, Fondaction CSN and a number of pharmaceutical companies. Fund VII targets 12 to 15 project-focused-companies and up to five traditional, syndicated venture capital investments. Earlier this year, it invested in Montréal's PRCL Research Inc, a special purpose company that develops pharmaceutical assets.
5 min read · 06 October 2014
Pure Energies Group Inc, a technology startup that supports the adoption by homeowners of solar energy and conservation products, has been acquired by NRG Energy Inc (NYSE: NRG). The financial details of the transaction were not published. NRG, a U.S.-based electricity producer, said the purchase adds stronger online capability for customers to access its residential solar offering. Founded in 2009, the Toronto-based Pure Energies secured $11 million in debt and equity financing in 2013. Its backers included U.S. venture capital firms New Enterprise Associates, NGEN Partners and Western Technology Investment.
5 min read · 03 October 2014
The National Angel Capital Organization and BDC Capital have given the Canadian Angel of the Year award to Randall Howard. A senior technology executive, Howard has invested and mentored more than 20 early-stage companies, primarily in the Waterloo region of Ontario. He is the founder and also a partner at boutique technology investment firm Verdexus. Howard is also chairman of Verdexus portfolio company iotum, a Toronto-based operator of online collaboration.
1 min read · 03 October 2014
Spring Loaded Technology, a maker of bionic knee braces that improve mobility, rehabilitation and performance, has obtained $1.8 million in seed-stage financing from Canadian early-stage venture capital firm Innovacorp and several private investors. The Halifax, Nova Scotia-based startup said it plans to use proceeds of the investment for research and development, product development and to help take its two product lines to market. Spring Loaded was founded in 2012 by CEO Chris Cowper-Smith and CTO Bob Garrish.
3 min read · 03 October 2014
Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company Knight Therapeutics Inc (TSX: GUD) has agreed to commit EUR 19.5 million ($27.5 million) to the third life sciences fund managed by Dutch venture capital firm Forbion Capital Partners. The commitment, which follows an earlier commitment to a life sciences fund managed by Sectoral Asset Management, expands Knight's product sourcing strategy for the Canadian market, the company said. Knight plans to commit up to $130 million to this strategy. Forbion this month announced a first close of Forbion Capital Fund III CV at EUR 92 million ($129.6 million).
4 min read · 03 October 2014
